The Akyem Abuakwa Traditional Council in the Eastern Region wants educational authorities to quickly shut down Bright Senior High School in Kukurantumi.
It follows recent acts of assault perpetrated by students of the school during the ongoing West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE) that threw the school into a state of chaos.
Last Thursday, some students of the school reportedly beat up WAEC officials who were invigilating them in the ongoing exams for allegedly tightening security during the exams.
The students also attacked Damolie Emmanuel Pacome, a journalist with the Daily Graphic who was at the school to report on the developments.
Their actions have been met with public condemnation compelling the West African Examinations Council (WAEC) to relocate the examination centre at the school to Ofori Panin Senior High School to “ensure the integrity of the examination and safeguard the lives of examination officials”.
Meanwhile, a statement signed by the Traditional Council’s Secretary, D.M Ofori-Atta and copied to the Ghana Education Service, Education Ministry, WAEC and the Eastern Regional Police Command said that the immediate closure of the school has the support of the Okyenhene, His Majesty Osagyefuo Amoatia Ofori Panin.
“Finally, I am instructed by the Akyem Abuakwa Traditional Council and on the august permission of His Majesty Osagyefuo Amoatia Ofori Panin on the following measures divorced from any compromise: The closure of the Bright Senior High School with immediate effect,” parts of the statement said.
Also, the Akyem Abuakwa Traditional Council is demanding the “arrest of Bright Amponsah, the proprietor of Bright Senior High School and his immediate prosecution”.
Already, authorities of the Bright SHS have said they will comply with any sanctions that may be handed over to their students if found culpable but plead relevant stakeholders to temper justice with mercy.
Meanwhile, “on humanitarian grounds and fatherly consideration, the Akyem Abuakwa Traditional Council will assist in the rehabilitation of affected students; this is in consideration of their immediate and best interest. Further, a thorough investigation of the operations of Bright SHS over the last decade with particular concern with its dealings with certain officers of WAEC”.
The Proprietor, Bright Amponsah who was arrested for allegedly inciting the final year students to attack WAEC officials has been granted bail.
